The old order changeth, the passing of power from the House of lords

Preface

Periods of transition in our political history are appraised more faithfully, their causes and effects discerned more clearly, when looked at from the days of posterity than when nerves are still ajar with the clash of conflict, and vision distorted with a temper not yet cold. But to refrain from chronicling great events when they have passed before the eye simply because succeeding generations may be better able to fit the parts of the story is to make an idol of pedantry, and to do disservice to the State. Perspective is of transcendent value to the historian, but other factors must not be depreciated ; and it has to be remembered that the long-distance view always leaves unseen many poignant incidents, always detracts from the pervading force of personality — as potent in the field of politics as on the field of battle. The glitter of the moment may now and again lessen the worth of descriptions, and take the point from judgments ; but these defects are more than balanced by the freshness of impressions, and by the liveliness of a picture which in later years must be done in duller colours, and done at second hand.

It was my lot to witness every stage of the proceedings which culminated this summer in the legislation depriving vi PREFACE

the Lords of the powers possessed by them for centuries. From the gallery of Parliament I saw the strenuous passage of the Budget of 1909, watched the Lords give it their fatal blow, and was present during the successive crises which developed out of each other from month to month until at last the hand of the Sovereign himself was invoked against the outstanding Peers. A connected and continuous story of the conflict from start to finish seems to me a work which may possess a value, as well as an interest, for all who have a feeling for history.

The political happenings of the two years from 1909 to 1911 were not only history but drama. From beginning to end events were linked together, and the many quick revealments, the influence of strong temperaments, the possibilities of the approaching finale, all helped to give the situation a fascination which can be but faintly reflected in written words. Some day perhaps more of the drama will be made known to the world : the private rehearsals, the secret disappointments and triumphs of the authors. These things will have an interest of their own. My task it is to present the play as it was given before the footlights, with its fluctuating attractions, its excitements, its contending ideals, its bitterness, its chivalries.

To tell a plain tale plainly has been my aim. And in the telling of it I have endeavoured to give honour where honour is due, to abstain from blame where motives are doubtful, to explain equitably rival objects and ideas, and to be as just to the individual leaders as to the principles they advocate. I have watched men

PREFACE vii

battling during years for and against a purpose which, now that it is achieved, must remain a permanent mark in English history. These men I have portrayed as I have seen them. The story that links them is indivisible from themselves, and they have the knowledge, if not the satisfaction, that be they great men or lesser men Fate has tossed them to the surface amid events which will find their place in the progressive record of man's government of man.

F. D.

London,

SeptembeTt 1911.

Chapter I

Origin of the 1909 Budget— Twenty years of barren Liberalism- Generation of new forces — The sweeping victory of 1906 — Rejection of leading Liberal measures by the House of Lords — Government followers exasperated — Mr. Asquith becomes Prime Minister, Mr. Lloyd George Chancellor of the Exchequer— The first Budget of Mr. Lloyd George — Prospective frustration of the House of Lords

Chapter II

Attitude of opponents— Birth and upbringing— Early poverty and struggles — The village boy and his uncle — Solicitor at twenty-one — His first notable success — Growing reputation — Enters Parliament at twenty-seven — Prominence in the House of Commons — Unpopularity during Boer War — Guerilla fighter to Minister — President of Board of Trade — Recognition o^ achievements — Unconventionality in oflfice — Personality — His power in the House of Commons 17

Chapter III

A great Parliamentary occasion — Scene in the House of Commons — Outlines of the Budget — Expenditure and revenue — Anticipated deficit for the year — The proposed new taxes — Excitement at novel plans — Breakdown of Mr. Lloyd George — New Doomsday Book— A Budget for the future ... 36

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CHAPTEE IV

PAGE

Indignation caused by the Budget — Opposition plans — Mr. Balfour as Conservative leader — His extraordinary qualities — The help of Mr. Austen Chamberlain and Mr. F. E. Smith — Criticism of Budget proposals — The beginning of Socialism — An omen of future efforts 66

Chapter V The Limehousb Campaign

Fight against the Budget — Efforts of Conservative members — The House of Commons battle — Burden on Ministers — Criticism of Mr. Lloyd George — The speech at Limehouse — Comments on landlords— The Gorringe case— Lord Rosebery against the Government— Budget storm in the country ... 76

Chapter VI

Mr. Ure's platform value— Complaints of his inaccuracy — Possible loss of old age pensions under Conservatives — Indignant Conservative denials — Liberal criticism of Mr. Ure — Denunciation by Mr. Balfour — " The frigid and calculated lie " — Mr. Ure defends himself in the House of Commons — Impassioned attack on Mr. Balfour— Mr. Balfour forced to reply— A thrilling scene 92

Chapter VII

The powers of the House of Lords in respect of money bills — The fate of the Budget in doubt — Possibility of extreme action — Attitude of Conservative leaders — Peers decide on rejection — Determination to check Mr. Lloyd George — Budget debate in House of Lords — Lord Lansdowne sounds the note of war— The Lord Chancellor as Government champion — Rights of the Peers surveyed — The Government defiance — Rejection of the Budget — Mr. Asquith's move 107

CONTENTS XI

Chapter VIII

MR. ASQUITH TAKES THB FIELD

Characteristics of Mr. Asquith— His leadership — Aptitude in Parliament— Lucidity — Laconic repartee — His speech against the Lords — Announcement of dissolution — Mr. Balfour's reply — Parliament prorogued — Election contest begins — Mr. Asquith's declaration at the Albert Hall — The " guarantees" — Dissolution of Parliament 130

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Chapter IX The Sequel Of Thb Election

Suspense during the contest — The result — Claims of the parties — King Edward opens new Parliament — The speech from the Throne — Assembly of the Commons — Mr. Asquith's anticlimax— Liberal disappointment — Irish Nationalist protest . 144

Chapter X

The Veto resolutions — Liberals encouraged — Proposals before the House of Commons — Prince of Wales present— Vigorous speech by Mr. Asquith — Mr. Balfour's skill — Mr. Redmond tells the Government what they have to do — The interest of the debate — Scenes on April 14 — Parliament Bill read a first time — Mr. Asquith's sensational statement — The " guarantees " at last — 1909 Budget passed — Parliament adjourns for Whitsuntide holidays 159

Chapter XI The Gonfbbbncb Of Bight

The position of King Edward— General confidence in the Sovereign —Consultations with Ministers— Sudden illness of the King— His death— Tributes in Parliament— Alteration of political xii CONTENTS

PAGE position — Mr. Asquith announces Conference between the two parties — Personnel of the Conference — Secrecy of proceedings— Efforts to secure settlement — The eight men at work— Failure of Conference— A state of war again « , 174

CHAPTEB XII

Government plan of campaign — Decision to strike at once — Conservative Peers take action — Formal proposal of Parliament Bill in House of Lords— Counterstroke by Lord Lansdowne — The Conservative reconstitution scheme — Discussion in the House of Lords — Unionists warn the country against Home Rule — Mr. Redmond and his American dollars denounced — Government successful at the polls — Parliament Bill to be main business of the Session — BiU introduced in the House of Commons — Commencement of the great fight — Sketch of the Speaker 190

Chapter XIII

Brilliant Parliamentary discussion — ^Temporary leadership given to Mr. ChurohUl — A pungent young statesman — Stormy passages — Debating duels between Mr. Asquith and Mr. Balfour — Parliament Bill sent up to the Lords « « . 209

Chapter XIV The Conservativb Plans

House of Lords Reconstitution Bill — Relinquishment of hereditary claims— Changing views — Conservative desire for reform

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PAOE

— The Referendnm — Liberal objections — Lord Balfour of Burleigh and his " Reference to the People " Bill— Lord Lansdowne's new House of Lords 225

Chapter XV

Peers face to face with Parliament Bill — Mr. Asquith's secret — Current Conservatism struggling for existence — The difficulties of Mr. Balfour — Theories of the two parties — Peers* strategy — Lord Morley as leader in the House of Lords — The Lord Chancellor and Lord Haldane — The fight of the Government trio 239

Chapter XVI The Be -modelled Bill

Lords pass the second reading of the Parliament Bill — Important amendments forecasted by Conservatives — Adjournment over the Coronation — Prominence of the Peers — Scene at the Abbey — The lonely Prime Minister — Ideals of the Conservatives— House of Lords begin Committee stage of Parliament Bill — Government firm against changes — Conservatives force modifications— Text of the altered Bill . . » . . 254

Chapter XVII

Lord Halsbury leads a " No surrender " party — Rebellion against Mr. Balfour and Lord Lansdowne — Government defied to make new Peers — Mr. Asquith's announcement of the King's intention — Anger of the Opposition — Meeting of Peers at Lansdowne House — Prospective creation of Liberal Lords — Discussion on Government threat — The precedents of 1711- 1712 and 1832 273 xiv CONTENTS

Chapter XVIII Page

Events of July 24 — Commons assemble to hear Mr. Asquith's statement — Turbulence in House — " Traitor " — Conservatives refuse to hear Mr. Asquith— Efiorts of the Speaker— Lord Hugh Cecil leads disorder — Demeanour of Mr. Asquith — Mr. Balfour tries to repress his supporters — Speaker adjourns the House — Mr. Asquith's undelivered speech . ; . . 295

Chapter XIX

MR. BALFOUR WITHSTANDS THE STALWARTS

Manifestoes to Conservative rebels by Lord Lansdowne and Mr. Balfour — Abandonment of Conservative meeting in City of London — Division in the Conservative Press — Leaders of the two sections — Difficulties of the Government — Re-amended Parliament Bill in the balance — Conservative votes of censure on the Government — The critical week 323

Chapter XX

Mr. Asquith gives communications between Sovereign and Government — Cabinet's message to the King — His Majesty's assent — Defence of Government course — Lord Crewe relates details of negotiations with the King — Commons discuss Lords' amendments to the Parliament Bill — Mr. Balfour states future policy of Conservatives on Second Chamber . 384